GoI Post Matric Scholarship for OBC | BCK-81A
The BCK-81A (Post Matric Scholarship of Government of India for OBC Students) is a centrally-funded scholarship for Other Backward Classes (OBC) students in Gujarat, covering Class 11 through PhD. It is administered by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat, and payments are made via DBT.
BCK-81A has two features that make it distinct from other Gujarat post-matric schemes: its income limit is the strictest at ₹1 lakh per year (compared to ₹2.5 lakh for ST and SC schemes), and it uniquely mandates a Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate renewed every year in addition to the standard caste certificate. In return, it offers the widest course coverage — from Class 11 all the way to PhD — and a structured maintenance allowance across four course groups.
| Feature | OBC — BCK-81A | ST — Umbrella Scheme | SC — BCK-6.1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Limit | ≤ ₹1 lakh/year | ≤ ₹2.5 lakh/year | ≤ ₹2.5 lakh/year |
| Course Coverage | Class 11 to PhD | Class 11 to Graduation | Class 11 to PhD |
| Maintenance Allowance | ✅ Yes (4 groups) | ✅ Yes (indicative) | ✅ Yes |
| Freeship Card | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| NCL Certificate | ✅ Required (every year) | ❌ Not required | ❌ Not required |
| Funding | Government of India | Central + State | Government of India |
Scholarship Benefits | BCK-81A
| Course Group | Examples | Hosteller | Non-Hosteller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group I | Engineering, MBBS, MBA, MCA | ₹700 / month | ₹300 / month |
| Group II | Other PG, MA, MSc, MCom | ₹530 / month | ₹230 / month |
| Group III | BA, BSc, BCom, UG | ₹380 / month | ₹180 / month |
| Group IV | Class 11–12, Diploma, ITI | ₹210 / month | ₹130 / month |
Additionally, tuition fees and non-refundable fees are covered. Verify current-year rates at digitalgujarat.gov.in.
Eligibility
- Must belong to the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category in Gujarat
- Annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹1,00,000 (₹1 lakh)
- Studying from Class 11 to PhD in a recognised institution
- Valid OBC caste certificate + current Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate
- Permanent resident of Gujarat with domicile certificate
OBC NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) Certificate — Complete Guide
The Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate is the most common reason OBC scholarship applications are rejected or delayed in Gujarat. Unlike the OBC caste certificate (which is valid for 3 years), the NCL certificate must be renewed every year before applying for BCK-81A. Here is a step-by-step guide specific to OBC scholarship applicants:
Understand what "Non-Creamy Layer" means for OBC
The Central Government divides OBC applicants into Creamy Layer (higher income — not eligible for reservation benefits) and Non-Creamy Layer (lower income — eligible). For BCK-81A, your family income must be ≤ ₹1 lakh/year, which automatically places you well within Non-Creamy Layer limits. The NCL certificate formally documents this.
Apply for NCL certificate at the Mamlatdar office or digitalgujarat.gov.in
Visit your local Mamlatdar (Taluka) office or apply online at digitalgujarat.gov.in → Certificates → OBC Non-Creamy Layer Certificate. Required: income proof, existing OBC caste certificate, family details. Processing time: typically 7–15 working days.
Verify the validity date before submitting scholarship application
The NCL certificate is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. If it expires before or during your scholarship application window (August–October), you must renew it first. An expired NCL certificate will cause automatic rejection.
Upload both certificates in the scholarship form
The BCK-81A application form has separate upload fields for (a) OBC caste certificate and (b) NCL certificate. Both must be uploaded as clear PDF/JPEG scans under 200 KB. Uploading only the caste certificate without the NCL certificate is a common mistake that leads to rejection.
Documents Required
Aadhaar Card
Identity + DBT bank seeding
Caste Certificate
From Mamlatdar
Income Certificate
Annual family income from Mamlatdar
Domicile Certificate
Gujarat resident proof
Bonafide / Enrolment Certificate
From current institution
Fee Receipt / Fee Structure
Current year fees
Bank Passbook (first page)
Account + IFSC - Aadhaar-seeded
Passport-size Photo
Recent, max 200 KB
How to Apply for BCK-81A OBC Scholarship
Register / Log in at digitalgujarat.gov.in
Visit digitalgujarat.gov.in → New Registration or log in. Verify via OTP.
Complete My Profile
Log in → My Profile → fill all sections: personal details, address, category, family income, Aadhaar, bank account, upload photo. Mandatory.
Service tab → Scholarship Services → OBC → BCK-81A
Click Service → Scholarship Services → select OBC category → choose BCK-81A (GoI Post Matric Scholarship for OBC Students) → select current academic year → Apply. Note: BCK-81A appears only under the OBC section, not under SC or ST tabs.
Fill form, upload documents (including NCL), submit
Complete all fields. Upload OBC caste certificate and NCL certificate separately (both mandatory). Upload remaining documents as clear PDF/JPEG scans under 200 KB. Agree to terms. Save as Draft → Submit. Note your reference number.
Institute verification & DBT payment
College verifies online. On approval, maintenance allowance and tuition fees disbursed via DBT to your Aadhaar-linked bank. Track status under Service Request in your dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
BCK-81A is the GoI Post Matric Scholarship for OBC (Other Backward Classes) student, a Central Government scheme administered in Gujarat by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department. It covers Class 11 to PhD. Income limit: annual family income must not exceed Rs 1 lakh. Benefits: maintenance allowance (Rs 280 to Rs 700 per month for hostellers depending on course group) plus tuition fees. Apply at digitalgujarat.gov.in under OBC Scholarship Services.
The income limit for BCK-81A (GoI Post Matric Scholarship for OBC students) is Rs 1 lakh (Rs 1,00,000) per year from all sources. This is the Central Government's prescribed limit and is stricter than many state schemes. The OBC caste certificate along with a valid Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate is required.
BCK-81A maintenance allowance (indicative rates, verify at digitalgujarat.gov.in): Group I (Engineering/Medical/MBA) hosteller: Rs 700/month, non-hosteller: Rs 300/month. Group II (other PG) hosteller: Rs 530/month, non-hosteller: Rs 230/month. Group III (UG) hosteller: Rs 380/month, non-hosteller: Rs 180/month. Group IV (Class 11-12, ITI) hosteller: Rs 210/month, non-hosteller: Rs 130/month.
Yes. OBC students applying for BCK-81A must submit a valid Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate confirming that their family income is below the creamy layer threshold. The NCL certificate is issued by the Mamlatdar office and is valid for 1 year. Both the OBC caste certificate (typically valid 3 years) and a current NCL certificate are required for scholarship applications.